Single logo
LoginSign Up

NIST SP 800-53 Security Controls Assessment Checklist

A detailed checklist for assessing and implementing security controls as specified in NIST Special Publication 800-53, covering various control families including access control, awareness and training, audit and accountability, and more.

NIST SP 800-53 Security Controls Assessment Checklist

by: audit-now
4.4

Get Template

About This Checklist

The NIST SP 800-53 Security Controls Assessment Checklist is an essential tool for Information Technology professionals tasked with evaluating and implementing robust security measures. This comprehensive checklist is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53, which provides a catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations. By utilizing this checklist, organizations can systematically assess their compliance with NIST guidelines, identify potential vulnerabilities, and strengthen their overall security posture across various control families.

Learn more

Industry

Information Technology

Standard

NIST SP 800-53 - Security Controls

Workspaces

Enterprise IT Infrastructure

Occupations

Information Security Officer
IT Auditor
Compliance Manager
System Administrator
Security Analyst
1
Is the implementation of security controls compliant with NIST SP 800-53?

Select the compliance status of the controls.

To assess whether security controls are properly implemented.
2
What is the risk score assigned to the information system?

Enter the risk score (1-5 scale).

To quantify the level of risk associated with the information system.
Min: 1
Target: 3
Max: 5
3
What control gaps have been identified during the assessment?

Provide a brief description of any control gaps.

To document any deficiencies in the security controls.
4
Is the information system compliant with regulatory requirements?

Select the regulatory compliance status.

To ensure that the information system meets legal and regulatory obligations.
5
When was the last assessment conducted?

Select the date of the last assessment.

To keep track of the assessment schedule.
6
How effective are the implemented security controls?

Select the effectiveness rating of the controls.

To evaluate the performance of the security controls in place.
7
Is there an incident response plan established?

Indicate whether an incident response plan exists.

To verify preparedness for potential security incidents.
8
What recommendations do you have for improving security controls?

Provide detailed recommendations for improvement.

To gather suggestions for enhancing security measures.
9
When is the next review of the security controls scheduled?

Select the date for the next review of security controls.

To plan future assessments and ensure timely reviews.
10
How many security incidents have been reported since the last assessment?

Enter the total number of reported incidents.

To quantify the security incidents and assess their impact.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 100
11
What is the severity level of identified vulnerabilities?

Select the severity level of vulnerabilities found.

To prioritize remediation efforts based on the severity of vulnerabilities.
12
Is the patching policy for vulnerabilities being followed?

Indicate whether the patching policy is adhered to.

To ensure that vulnerabilities are addressed in a timely manner.
13
Please describe the vulnerabilities identified during the assessment.

Provide a brief description of each identified vulnerability.

To document specific vulnerabilities for further analysis.
14
When was the last vulnerability scan conducted?

Select the date of the last vulnerability scan.

To track the frequency of vulnerability assessments.
15
How many total vulnerabilities were found during the assessment?

Enter the total number of vulnerabilities identified.

To quantify the overall security posture of the information system.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 500
16
Is the access control mechanism compliant with NIST SP 800-53 requirements?

Select the compliance status of the access control mechanisms.

To ensure that access controls meet established regulatory standards.
17
Has a user access review been conducted in the last 12 months?

Indicate whether a user access review has been performed.

To verify that user access is regularly reviewed and updated.
18
Please provide an overview of the access control policy in place.

Describe the key elements of the access control policy.

To understand the framework that governs access control measures.
19
When was the access control policy last updated?

Select the date when the policy was last revised.

To ensure that the access control policy is current and relevant.
20
How many access violations have been reported in the past year?

Enter the total number of access violations reported.

To assess the effectiveness of the access control measures.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 100
21
Is sensitive data encrypted both at rest and in transit?

Select the encryption status of sensitive data.

To ensure that sensitive data is adequately protected from unauthorized access.
22
Is there a privacy policy established and communicated to users?

Indicate whether a privacy policy exists.

To confirm that users are informed about data handling practices.
23
What is the plan for responding to a data breach?

Provide details of the data breach response plan.

To evaluate preparedness and response mechanisms for data breaches.
24
When was the last privacy impact assessment conducted?

Select the date of the last privacy impact assessment.

To track the frequency of privacy assessments.
25
How many data access requests have been processed in the last year?

Enter the total number of data access requests received.

To measure the volume of requests related to data access and privacy.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 200

FAQs

The main focus is to provide a structured method for assessing and implementing security controls across various control families as defined in NIST SP 800-53, ensuring comprehensive coverage of an organization's information security program.

While the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Checklist provides a high-level approach to cybersecurity management, the SP 800-53 Checklist offers a more detailed, control-specific assessment aligned with federal information system security requirements.

This checklist is particularly useful for information security officers, IT auditors, compliance managers, and system administrators in organizations that need to comply with federal information security standards or seek to adopt best practices in security control implementation.

Organizations should conduct assessments at least annually, or more frequently when significant changes occur in the IT environment, when new threats emerge, or as part of continuous monitoring programs.

Yes, the checklist can be tailored to fit specific organizational requirements, risk tolerance levels, and the particular subset of NIST SP 800-53 controls that are applicable to the organization's systems and environment.

Benefits

Ensures thorough evaluation of security controls as per NIST SP 800-53

Facilitates gap analysis in current security implementations

Supports compliance with federal regulations and industry standards

Enhances overall organizational security and risk management

Provides a structured approach to continuous security improvement